How old does a child have to be to be safe in the front seat with an airbag?

[SledsImOn]

I've just rung our dealership and they want £190 to fit a switch so that we can turn off the passenger airbag.

It'd be nice to be able to have the baby in the front, but tbh that's a lot of money and I'm wondering - is it safe for my 9yo to go in the passenger seat now?
If he could use that seat then I could put baby in the back seat.

I'm not sure where to find out though. Any help appreciated.

[DowagersHump]

I think at that age it's fine. My feeling is that once they're in booster seats they're probably robust enough to take the airbag (although this is based on no evidence).

It's safer for children to be in the back rather than the passenger seat though

[SledsImOn]

Thankyou, that's helpful

Ds1 does go in the front sometimes and I always felt a bit worried about it.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Car Seat Law for UK here

Your 9yo can go in the front seat with his booster seat (unless hes already 135cm which means he doesnt need a booster anymore!)

[wewereherefirst]

As long as their forward facing they should be okay in the correct restraint. DS1 has sat in the front from when he was in a booster seat.

RF seats are dangerous with air bags because they fire out quickly and can cause crush injuries etc...

Air bags are blessing and a curse IMO.

[SledsImOn]

Thankyou very much - I didn't realise it was 135cm, he's not been using a booster I'll make sure he does from now on.

[lagoonhaze]

Push him as far back as possible to mimimise risk of facial injuries if air bag deploys